The Friends of Ashton Park were set up in May 1991 to represent the users of the Park and form a partnership with the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral, who own and maintain the Park, to aid the maintenance and improvement of the Park for the community.

The aims of the Friends are: -

To be a responsible body to help to ensure the protection of Ashton Park and its flora and fauna.

To seek the maintenance and improvement of its facilities for the benefit of residents of West Kirby, park users and the public.

To encourage the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral to improve facilities, including but not exclusively: toilets, recreation provision, footpaths, benches and fences

To help to educate the public in the use, history and other aspects of and relating to the Park.

To accept donations, grants and subscriptions to further the aims of the group.

Since our formation the Friends have worked closely with the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral and others to sponsor, finance and implement projects to improve the park. Initially efforts focused on fund-raising through an annual May fair and running a kiosk “ The Teashop in the Park” on a Sunday afternoon. With the help of the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral some £24000 was found to renew and add interest to the children’s playground. More recently the kiosk has been refurbished, the rose beds replanted, junior league football introduced, borders replanted, new pathways laid down, “Edwardian” style fingerpost signs installed, a wildlife notice board erected and a greatly expanded range of events introduced. A new path to provide an access for the mobility-impaired between the two parks has been provided. A completely refurbished basketball pitch has been installed in the upper park and new duck boxes on the island in the lake.

These improvements reflect the determination of the Friends to develop the Park for the enjoyment of the community in West Kirby, Wirral and beyond while retaining its traditional character. In addition to the May Fair we now have ‘Family Fun’ days, brass bands, string quartets, jazz bands, youth theatre, professional theatre, tennis school and junior football competitions. We involve all sectors of the community from Guides to Soroptimists and Lions to Zipper club. A strategy based on market research has been developed and our future aims include improved café and toilet facilities and a bandstand.